Abstract
Older adult sexualities are a vital yet often overlooked aspect of the well-being of older adults in India. It is molded by complexities surrounding physical well-being, cultural taboos, norms, and identity evolution. Sexual intimacy among young adults is widely acknowledged. However, older adults are often viewed as asexual beings. The discourse surrounding their intimacy is stigmatised and neglected. Pre-existing research on older adult intimacies has predominantly focused on the Western context, leaving a notable gap in understanding this topic within the framework of Indian culture. This paper challenges the societal perception and stigma regarding sexual intimacy among older adults through the lens of Hindi films. Using discourse analysis as a methodological approach, we conduct a qualitative reading of the movie Thai Massage (2022) and the short film Khujli (2017), to explore the stigma, freedom, and taboos surrounding aging bodies in contemporary India within the larger sociological and cultural setting. This paper aims to understand the ideologies that marginalise the sexual identities of older adults and contribute to the discourse on aging, intimacy, and agency within society.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
OLDER ADULTS, SEXUAL INTIMACY, CULTURAL TABOO, AGENCY
